A Christmas classic with a twist

Island Lakes

Osborne Village

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This article was published 27/11/2024 (515 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Cries of “Bah, humbug!” will ring out in Osborne Village this weekend.

South Winnipeg-based 7 Ages Productions will present its adaptation of Charles Dickens’ much-loved seasonal tale, A Christmas Carol, at the Gas Station Arts Centre from Nov. 29 through Dec. 1. It’s approximately two hours, and features an intermission.

Inspired by Dickens’ timeless story, this version of A Christmas Carol is a new adaptation by English playwright Patrick Barlow. George Buri, the show’s director, said Barlow penned the adaptation to be played by just five actors.

Buri, who lives in Island Lakes, said it’s been a challenge for the cast of local actors to play so many different roles, but a rewarding one, and the actors have “put in many hours of rehearsal and work between rehearsals.”

“They are doing an amazing job of creating the various characters,” Buri said, noting he hopes audiences will have fun watching the production.

Karl Eckstrand plays Ebenezer Scrooge, while Hannon Bell plays Charles Dickens, and Daniel Cormier, Alyssa Pruden, Amber Westra, Emma Siemens, Leslie Boardman, and Julian Vidal share the other acting duties across the four performances.

“Barlow’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol for five people attracted me as it’s a bit different,” Buri said. “All the basic elements of Charles Dickens’ story are there, but this adaptation delves deeper into the personality of Scrooge. It’s funny, but also very emotional. I think it’s got all the elements you’re looking for.”

Buri said as one of the ghosts takes Scrooge back into his past, the story explores the human condition and looks at the reasons he became such a miser as he aged.

“Part of Barlow’s focus is also on the social conditions in England at that time,” he said, noting the production is set “in 1824 and before and beyond.”

As production time approached, rehearsals continued in the basement of Buri’s home.

“Some of the actors are more seasoned, and part of the Winnipeg acting community. Every year, we also hold open auditions,” Buri said, adding the Gas Station Arts Centre, which underwent some refurbishments this year, is “a wonderful venue.”

Showtimes for A Christmas Carol are Friday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25, and $15 for children 12 and under, and can be purchased online at gsac.ca or at the door.